A teen shelter gets a makeover

When a group of philanthropic interior designers and employees from Triumph Structures Long Island LLC, an aircraft parts manufacturer in Westbury, put their heads together to redesign Nassau Haven, a teen shelter in Wantagh, the result was both comforting and functional. The aim of Nassau Haven, which is run by Family and Children's Association, is to give residents, who stay a maximum of 30 days, a sense of calm. "The goal of the makeover was to give them a place where they could feel comfortable, not like they're in a shelter," says Joyce Mullen, director of marketing and communications for the Mineola headquarters of Family and Children's Association. As many as 400 youths pass through Nassau Haven each year.
-- Sylvia E. King-Cohen

(Credit: Joyce Mullen)

BEFORE. Design Cartel members, all of whom donated their time and expertise, were able to calm down the colors and repurpose most of the furniture. Design Cartel designers included Gail Gotlieb of GBG Interior Designs of Huntington; Barbara Seppala of Barbara Rose Interior Design, Middle Island; Adrienne Kessel of Adrienne Kessel Interior Design, Port Jefferson Village; Therese Pomerenk of Therese Interior Design & Decoration, Kings Park. Anyone interested in donating to Family and Childrens Associations or who needs assistance can reach them at 516-746-0350 or familyandchildrens.org.

(Credit: Danielle Finkelstein)

AFTER. (All work and materials were donated.)
REUPHOLSTER MISSION FURNITURE COUCHES and CHAIRS, $1,959.
In good shape, all the Mission furniture, including two couches, two chairs and a coffee table, could be reused. The fabric and upholstery ($1,459) was donated by Ellen Kravet, owner of Kravet Fabrics, Bethpage; fabrication ($500) was donated by Jean Fuoco, owner of Window Designs by Jean, a trade-only company.
BOOKCASES, existing.IMAGES OF NATURE ARTWORK, a gift.
The artwork gives the room a touch of nature.
48-INCH, FLAT-SCREEN TELEVISION, a gift.
Donated by Victoria Collett, owner of The ClearingHouse eXchange home consignment store, Greenport.
MISSION-STYLE TV STAND, $40.
From craigslist.com.
COFFEE TABLE, existing.FLOOR LAMP, a gift.
From The ClearingHouse eXchange. (Feb. 2, 2013)

(Credit: Danielle Finkelstein)

PAINT, $205.
Includes Pratt & Lambert Seed Pearl and Decorator’s White for the ceiling (four cans, $180) and Martin-Senmour ProLine Primer ($25), donated by Gary Heffers of Pratt & Lambert.
MOLDING, existing.
Built in 1910, the home has most of its original molding, a feature the designers wanted to maintain and accentuate. (Feb. 2, 2013).

SHEERS, a gift.
The idea came from a Persian-inspired room that seamstress Fuoco had worked on. They first painted the pipes to blend into the background. Fabric and fabrication by Fuoco.
(Feb. 2, 2013)

BOYS' LIVING ROOMOutside the boys’ bedrooms is a place for them to unwind. Prices noted are estimated values. All time and materials were donated.
SECTIONAL SOFA, ACCENT PILLOWS and CHAISE, gift.
Donated by clients of the Design Cartel.
COFFEE TABLE, donated. PAINT, $169.
Includes four gallons of Silver Lining ($144) and one gallon of primer ($25), all donated by Gary Heffers of Pratt & Lambert.
WINDOW TREATMENT, donated.
Fabric and fabrication donated by Fuoco.
WICKER HANGING LIGHTS, $20 (for two).
From Ikea, Hicksville.
(Feb. 2, 2013).

DINING ROOM (all donated)REFINISH TABLE, donated.
A volunteer and his son spent a weekend stripping, staining and refinishing the table.
CUSTOM DR IKEBANA CENTERPIECE, $205.
The designers wanted to add an earthiness to the room. Donated by Paula Tam.
PAINT, $205.
Includes four gallons of Chalk Gray and one gallon of primer, all donated by Gary Heffers of Pratt & Lambert.
WINDOW TREATMENTS, donated.
Fabric and fabrication by Fuoco
“GUARDIAN OF KNIGHT” FRAMED PRINT, $1,500.
It is a painting of a bear in Alaska holding onto his patch of wooded habitat. Donated by artist Thomas D. Mangelsen. (Feb. 2, 2013).